It's taken ten years, but on Saturday I finally got around to seeing R.E.M. live, at the rescheduled Hyde Park date that was originally meant to be last weekend. It was an awesome gig (thanks also to wetsleeve's company), and served to reinforce the fact that R.E.M. are still my favourite band. The only real downside was the wait for a coach home afterwards ( Read more... )

On Saturday I went to the Hammersmith Apollo to see Tori Amos, with my housemate Nina.

Support was from Tom McRae, who was very good. My mum had asked me earlier who the support was, and when I told her her eyes veritably lit up - partly because she was accustomed to it usually being someone she's never heard of, and partly because she likes Tom ( Read more... )

I have just discovered that Beth Orton has been forced to cancel her July 5th date because the recording of her new album has overrun and the band won't have time to rehearse.

WOE and DESPAIR.

Now I need to figure out how to return my ticket.

Way back when, KT Tunstall had been scheduled to appear at the Zodiac, but pulled out due to illness... then a couple of months ago I got a ticket to see her at the Scala in London, but it was my turn to fall ill so I stayed at home and said "bah". After that another set of dates were announced, and I kept an eye out for an Oxford date but nothing ( Read more... )

On Sunday I travelled up to Birmingham, with the purpose of seeing Joanna Newsom plus a host of support acts, all signed to the Drag City label. Many thanks to Davegotsu for allowing me to stay at his hotel house on Sunday night.

The gig took place at the Glee Club in the centre of Birmingham. It was easy enough to find - the very long queue was a bit of a ( Read more... )

Last night I went to see The Subways play at the Zodiac, with The Skies and Battle as support. First comment - that was the longest queue I've ever seen at the Zodiac, but that may be due the times I usually turn up.

The Skies were a good, lively opener, who did a good job of getting the crowd moving - often a difficult thing for opening bands, ( Read more... )

Dagnammit. Modest Mouse have cancelled their appearance at the Zodiac without rescheduling.

Feel my rage.

Joanna Newsom played at the Zodiac last night. I have no words for how fantastic it was. She was very well received, and copies of her CD seemed to be selling very well. The setlist was mostly familiar, since she's only released the one album, although there was an a capella opening that I hadn't heard before, as well as another song that she ( Read more... )

Spent the weekend at the Truck Music Festival. Much tasty musical goodness.

Saturday's highlights were Chantelle Pike, Her Space Holiday, Piney Gir, and an excellent set by KTB. I also saw Face Meets Grill (excellent band name!) who play an interesting form of poppy post-rock. The most-welcome new discovery of the weekend was probably Piney Gir, ( Read more... )

Last night's gig was Josh Ritter downstairs at the Zodiac. To summarize - wowsers.

The support act was A Girl Called Eddy. Despite not having heard of her prior to this gig, one song seemed very familiar, although I'm not sure why since I don't think she's been on the radio. It was a pretty good performance, although it has to be said she was ( Read more... )